DBI final inspections & Certificate of Final Completion (CFC): San Francisco restaurant guide
SF Department of Building Inspection
What it is
After every trade and department signs off, DBI closes the building permit and issues the Certificate of Final Completion; a new or changed occupancy also gets a Certificate of Occupancy under SF Building Code §109A.
When a restaurant needs it
Every permitted build-out; required before DPH issues the health permit and before you open.
How to apply
Schedule the DBI building, electrical and plumbing finals plus Fire and Health finals as work completes; your contractor requests the CFC once all job-card items are signed.
Documents you’ll need
- Signed job card with all inspections
- Fire Department final
- DPH final
- Special inspection reports if required
Good to know
Pull the prior permits and any existing Certificate of Occupancy through DBI Records before you sign the lease — an open or expired permit on the space becomes your problem.
Official source
DBI Information Sheet G-20 — permit routing and CFC · SF Building Code §109A — Certificate of Occupancy
Answer a few questions about your space and get every permit in order, with a timeline, a cost range, walkthroughs, and every application filled in for you to sign with Open.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.